Mayer & Cie & Groz-Beckert Cooperate on Sinkers & Needles

Mayer & Cie, a manufacturer of knitting machines has partnered Groz-Beckert to develop the optimised Relanit sinker SNK F and also the new LCmax energy-saving needles.

The focus of both product developments was on efficiency, energy savings, and increased process reliability.

Groz-Beckert, which is a manufacturer of knitting needles, cooperates with knitting machinery producers to jointly develop new products or optimise existing ones.

The Groz-Beckert Technology and Development Center (TEZ) offers the know-how and framework for these development projects.

Earlier in 2018, Mayer & Cie approached Groz-Beckert with a request to jointly develop an improved and more efficient sinker for selected machines of their Relanit family that would run more smoothly and reliably.

The innovative sinker has an integral spring with a spring force that is adapted to the sinker thickness. Field tests were consistently successful and confirmed the functionality and advantages of the new sinker.

Thanks to their unique, adapted spring, the newly developed SNK F Relanit sinkers are securely guided while they are running through the cam track, resulting in a quieter operation.

This increases process reliability and ensures an improved loop structure. In addition, wear on the swivel butts of the sinkers is reduced, while increasing service life, making the process more sustainable and cost-efficient.

The innovative, wave-shaped shank of the LCmax needle ensures a smaller contact area of the needle in the needle trick, resulting in less friction.

This reduces machine temperature and enables energy savings of up to 20 percent compared to a standard needle, while saving costs and allowing the machine to run at maximum possible speed.